The Republicans needed to gain control of the Senate and White House, while maintaining control of the House in order to launch a successful repeal of Obamacare. 2 of the 3 things did not happen. So, Obamacare is here to stay. They simply don't have the horses to repeal it. And the Supreme Court has already BSed their way out of declaring it unconstitutional.

November 9th, 2012, 9:54 pm

frok

Varsity 1st Team

Joined: August 9th, 2004, 1:51 amPosts: 255Location: kalamazoo,mi

Re: Obamacare is here to stay.

Well I certainly hope it does something for my family.BCBS of MI. is really pissing me off. They just decided that the medications my son is on are not for his condition. Even though Mayo Clinic docs say this is our best course of action for my sons condition. Since going to Mayo 2 years ago my son has never been healthier, lung damage has slowed to a min. and now BCBS says the meds they have been covering for 2 years they will no longer cover. Waiting for them not to cover our 3 times a year visit to Mayo. My wife asked me what does BCBS want our son to do, all I could come up with they want him to die so they can save a few bucks. Been giving this company 800/month for 20years, now whne we need the coverage they say NOPE thats not what that medication is for. What a bunch of Bull poop, the medication is working. Last time they stopped covering one of his meds he ended up hospitalized for 4 days with pneumonia. Mayo docs called the insurance company and some how (med cheaper than hospital stays) they started covering that med again. Looks like We've got a fight on our hand with the big insurance company.End rant,Frok

_________________I feel more like I do now than when I first got here.

April 12th, 2013, 9:07 pm

lionsfanak

5th Round Pick - Traded

Joined: November 15th, 2004, 7:24 amPosts: 1055Location: Alaska

Re: Obamacare is here to stay.

For those who want it and think its great, look at Europe and Canada and their socialized medicine issues. Oh, then look at how much it's going to cost starting year 2. For a family of 4 making $120,000 annually, the bronze plan (cheapest, worst plan available) is supposed to hit them for $23,000 a year. That, according to the IRS. That's double my rate for preferred BCBS.

Shortsightedness never got anyone anywhere.

April 13th, 2013, 2:26 am

wjb21ndtown

Re: Obamacare is here to stay.

lionsfanak wrote:

For those who want it and think its great, look at Europe and Canada and their socialized medicine issues. Oh, then look at how much it's going to cost starting year 2. For a family of 4 making $120,000 annually, the bronze plan (cheapest, worst plan available) is supposed to hit them for $23,000 a year. That, according to the IRS. That's double my rate for preferred BCBS.

Shortsightedness never got anyone anywhere.

I agree...

This is a BS health care plan, that isn't working, and it's making things worse... Most people that could look at it with any sense of reality saw this coming a year ago.

April 13th, 2013, 7:56 am

WarEr4Christ

QB Coach

Joined: October 26th, 2005, 11:48 pmPosts: 3039Location: Elkhart, In.

Re: Obamacare is here to stay.

Sadly, I'm often amazed, although I shouldn't be, at how we as a society continue to miss seeing the forest, because the trees are in the way.

This is about CONTROL.

At present the government has an iron grip on a particular segment of society, I'll let you be the judge of who fits in this segment.

As long as the government maintains control over all of these systems, they can control how you live, and the choices that you make. Failure to comply with their directives is an IMMEDIATE withdrawl from their system. IF you've grown accustom to survival depending upon Uncle Sam, and IF it goes on long enough, you no longer no how to survive on your own. So it is easier to do what is expected, and tolerate what is given, than it is to go against the system.

Let's take a look at the Reservations as a DIRECT EXAMPLE of government provision.

Anyone care to guess what the unemployment rate is on the reservations?Anyone care to guess what the child abuse rate is?Anyone care to guess what the substance abuse rate is?Crime, rape, and so on?

What I'm saying is that Obamacare has been purposefully designed to implode the system, so that destruction does happen, leading to a mass dependency upon government to fix the problems. Who becomes the savior if a broken government can't do it? Why a Global Village that has all the world's economies working together in one accord, being a bunch of shiny happy people right? Come on now, it takes a village folks! Get with the program, INDIVIDUALISM is STRONGLY DISCOURAGED, and will be "outlawed", while the COLLECTIVE is celebrated, and expected.

If this isn't the matrix, y'all haven't been paying attention.....

_________________2 Chronicles 10:14, "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

April 14th, 2013, 2:30 pm

The Legend

Off. Coordinator – Joe Lombardi

Joined: February 11th, 2005, 3:01 pmPosts: 4026Location: WSU

Re: Obamacare is here to stay.

frok wrote:

Well I certainly hope it does something for my family.BCBS of MI. is really pissing me off. They just decided that the medications my son is on are not for his condition. Even though Mayo Clinic docs say this is our best course of action for my sons condition. Since going to Mayo 2 years ago my son has never been healthier, lung damage has slowed to a min. and now BCBS says the meds they have been covering for 2 years they will no longer cover. Waiting for them not to cover our 3 times a year visit to Mayo. My wife asked me what does BCBS want our son to do, all I could come up with they want him to die so they can save a few bucks. Been giving this company 800/month for 20years, now whne we need the coverage they say NOPE thats not what that medication is for. What a bunch of Bull poop, the medication is working. Last time they stopped covering one of his meds he ended up hospitalized for 4 days with pneumonia. Mayo docs called the insurance company and some how (med cheaper than hospital stays) they started covering that med again. Looks like We've got a fight on our hand with the big insurance company.End rant,Frok

cystic fibrosis?

April 20th, 2013, 6:58 am

regularjoe12

Off. Coordinator – Joe Lombardi

Joined: March 30th, 2006, 12:48 amPosts: 3955Location: Davison Mi

Re: Obamacare is here to stay.

frok wrote:

Well I certainly hope it does something for my family.BCBS of MI. is really pissing me off. They just decided that the medications my son is on are not for his condition. Even though Mayo Clinic docs say this is our best course of action for my sons condition. Since going to Mayo 2 years ago my son has never been healthier, lung damage has slowed to a min. and now BCBS says the meds they have been covering for 2 years they will no longer cover. Waiting for them not to cover our 3 times a year visit to Mayo. My wife asked me what does BCBS want our son to do, all I could come up with they want him to die so they can save a few bucks. Been giving this company 800/month for 20years, now whne we need the coverage they say NOPE thats not what that medication is for. What a bunch of Bull poop, the medication is working. Last time they stopped covering one of his meds he ended up hospitalized for 4 days with pneumonia. Mayo docs called the insurance company and some how (med cheaper than hospital stays) they started covering that med again. Looks like We've got a fight on our hand with the big insurance company.End rant,Frok

I'm with you Frok, it disgusts me that an insurance company can overrule a specialized doctor with intamate knowledge of the patient. To me THAT should be illegal.

_________________2013 Lionbacker Fantasy Football Champion

April 20th, 2013, 8:51 am

frok

Varsity 1st Team

Joined: August 9th, 2004, 1:51 amPosts: 255Location: kalamazoo,mi

Re: Obamacare is here to stay.

The Legend wrote:

frok wrote:

Well I certainly hope it does something for my family.BCBS of MI. is really pissing me off. They just decided that the medications my son is on are not for his condition. Even though Mayo Clinic docs say this is our best course of action for my sons condition. Since going to Mayo 2 years ago my son has never been healthier, lung damage has slowed to a min. and now BCBS says the meds they have been covering for 2 years they will no longer cover. Waiting for them not to cover our 3 times a year visit to Mayo. My wife asked me what does BCBS want our son to do, all I could come up with they want him to die so they can save a few bucks. Been giving this company 800/month for 20years, now whne we need the coverage they say NOPE thats not what that medication is for. What a bunch of Bull poop, the medication is working. Last time they stopped covering one of his meds he ended up hospitalized for 4 days with pneumonia. Mayo docs called the insurance company and some how (med cheaper than hospital stays) they started covering that med again. Looks like We've got a fight on our hand with the big insurance company.End rant,Frok

cystic fibrosis?

No, not CF. He has what is called Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia. The cilia in his body do not move mucus like in our bodies. So basically mucus in his lungs does not move up high enough to cough out like most people. He has a daily routine of meds to thin mucus in his body and uses a compression vest to break it away from the inside of his lungs. A lot of his meds are for CF but thats not what he has so now insurance company says the meds are not approved.

_________________I feel more like I do now than when I first got here.

April 20th, 2013, 6:14 pm

lionsfanak

5th Round Pick - Traded

Joined: November 15th, 2004, 7:24 amPosts: 1055Location: Alaska

Re: Obamacare is here to stay.

Hopefully this thing will tax itself out of existence.

April 20th, 2013, 6:23 pm

regularjoe12

Off. Coordinator – Joe Lombardi

Joined: March 30th, 2006, 12:48 amPosts: 3955Location: Davison Mi

Re: Obamacare is here to stay.

Well, Obama care finally hit my family's wallet. My work just announced a 60 dollar increase every 2 weeks....for lesser coverage. Awesome.......just freakin awesome. Thats another 1500 a year out of my pocket.

_________________2013 Lionbacker Fantasy Football Champion

September 14th, 2013, 9:15 am

I.E.

Walk On

Joined: September 11th, 2010, 10:19 pmPosts: 408

Re: Obamacare is here to stay.

regularjoe12 wrote:

Well, Obama care finally hit my family's wallet. My work just announced a 60 dollar increase every 2 weeks....for lesser coverage. Awesome.......just freakin awesome. Thats another 1500 a year out of my pocket.

Maybe. Maybe not.

It would be interesting to see the changes in benefits summaries, before & after (Cost, Co-Pays, Deductibles and benefits such as maximum visits). Unless you can share that entire picture, your increase in costs may have nothing to do with PPACA.... other than your company using it as an excuse to reduce the benefits coverage they want to pay for. This is happening - a LOT. Unless you know their cost plus your cost, against the same benefits... you may not be conveying facts (even if it is what you believe).

September 15th, 2013, 5:57 pm

regularjoe12

Off. Coordinator – Joe Lombardi

Joined: March 30th, 2006, 12:48 amPosts: 3955Location: Davison Mi

Re: Obamacare is here to stay.

I.E. wrote:

regularjoe12 wrote:

Well, Obama care finally hit my family's wallet. My work just announced a 60 dollar increase every 2 weeks....for lesser coverage. Awesome.......just freakin awesome. Thats another 1500 a year out of my pocket.

Maybe. Maybe not.

It would be interesting to see the changes in benefits summaries, before & after (Cost, Co-Pays, Deductibles and benefits such as maximum visits). Unless you can share that entire picture, your increase in costs may have nothing to do with PPACA.... other than your company using it as an excuse to reduce the benefits coverage they want to pay for. This is happening - a LOT. Unless you know their cost plus your cost, against the same benefits... you may not be conveying facts (even if it is what you believe).

I work for a pretty decent company. We're a lil small with 150 employees, and have a "mother hen" for a CEO. Health care for the staff has always been a priority for her. 2 years ago was the first time that we have had to pay for HC and due to crazy inflation of health care costs, they have no choice but to share that burden with us. Our CEO feels guilty about us paying for healthcare so she broke it all down for us in a meeting. I am indeed conveying the facts...

_________________2013 Lionbacker Fantasy Football Champion

September 16th, 2013, 8:28 am

I.E.

Walk On

Joined: September 11th, 2010, 10:19 pmPosts: 408

Re: Obamacare is here to stay.

I have another friend who is in a similar predicament. The issue is, the PPACA ESB (Essential Health Benefits) are typically more rich in benefits than previous plans (which is why Health Insurance Companies are scrambling to renew people by year-end and get them grandfathered at more profitable margins). So the newer plans they're getting are more expensive - but they have better benefits, and different deductibles/cost-sharing structure.

It is most likely that the benefits are different, even though your company has historically taken good care of its employees. You're fortunate - for every one of those, there are many many more that do the bare minimum.

Keep in mind that one of the drivers behind PPACA was to stop HI costs from continuing to escalate. These costs have been rising like crazy for decades - and without controls in place and increased competition that would continue. So the increase from two years ago to last year, or last year to this year... that doesn't tell the whole story. The important part is, can we get these costs under control & get them stabilized going forward.

Also - it is entirely possible that your company buys insurance from a small broker who makes a profit from the sale, and doesn't give your company the same bang for the buck as larger companies for the same insurance.

Do you know how much your company subsidizes your HI? If so, within a few weeks you'll be able to go out to the health insurance marketplace and compare-shop your plan, costs, and benefits against the PPACA EHB plans. On the marketplace, you'll see standard plans from Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Priority Health, Aetna, HAP, and several others... all with competitive pricing. I'll be very interested to see what you find.

September 16th, 2013, 12:41 pm

The Legend

Off. Coordinator – Joe Lombardi

Joined: February 11th, 2005, 3:01 pmPosts: 4026Location: WSU

Re: Obamacare is here to stay.

Quote:

Keep in mind that one of the drivers behind PPACA was to stop HI costs from continuing to escalate. These costs have been rising like crazy for decades - and without controls in place and increased competition that would continue. So the increase from two years ago to last year, or last year to this year... that doesn't tell the whole story. The important part is, can we get these costs under control & get them stabilized going forward.

please share how the ACA decreases the cost to provide health care. without changing that cost the ACA cannot control cost escalation. simply controlling reimbursement (payers) will not change how much it costs to provide the care. if cost to provide the care continues to increase while reimbursement continues to decrease, costs can only be reduced further by rationing to certain groups while letting others pay out of pocket for the best care. how long before the best physicians begin to accept fee for service only? go ahead and visit your nearby Cook County Hospital and share your thoughts with us.

September 27th, 2013, 4:17 am

I.E.

Walk On

Joined: September 11th, 2010, 10:19 pmPosts: 408

Re: Obamacare is here to stay.

The Legend wrote:

Quote:

Keep in mind that one of the drivers behind PPACA was to stop HI costs from continuing to escalate. These costs have been rising like crazy for decades - and without controls in place and increased competition that would continue. So the increase from two years ago to last year, or last year to this year... that doesn't tell the whole story. The important part is, can we get these costs under control & get them stabilized going forward.

please share how the ACA decreases the cost to provide health care. without changing that cost the ACA cannot control cost escalation. simply controlling reimbursement (payers) will not change how much it costs to provide the care. if cost to provide the care continues to increase while reimbursement continues to decrease, costs can only be reduced further by rationing to certain groups while letting others pay out of pocket for the best care. how long before the best physicians begin to accept fee for service only? go ahead and visit your nearby Cook County Hospital and share your thoughts with us.